Tang Heng Dao

The LK Chen Forge:

This Broadsword was forged by LK Chen, a forge that specializes in the recreation of ancient Chinese weapons featuring authentic dimensions, weight, balance and handling.

LK Chen weapons are all designed for cutting purpose. You can train cutting with rice straw mats or bamboo targets.

The Tang Heng Dao Broadsword:

The Tang Heng Dao is a straight Dao wielded with one hand, equipped with a scabbard with a two-point suspension system influenced by Sassanid swords. This system allows the Dao to be carried in a more or less horizontal position (Heng).  This type of broadsword was used for combat on foot as well as on horseback.  The Heng Dao was compact, light, and was the standard regulation sidearm for conscripts, elite troops, commanders and imperial guards.

The Heng Dao was expensive to manufacture. As a costly military resource, it was forbidden to use the Heng dao as a funerary item.  As a result, very few specimens have been discovered today. Fortunately, Heng Dao was researched by Japanese delegations and sent back to Japan as a treasure for the royal court.
Even today, these rare samples of Heng Dao are preserved in Nara.

The fitting, finishing and final assembly of the sword is meticulously done by the experienced master craftsmen of LK Chen Forge. It takes a professional craftsman a full day to assemble a broadsword of this type with precision.

Broadsword Characteristics:

• Blade Composition : GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel
  (Similar to AISI/SAE 5160 Spring Steel)
  Click here to access the complete Comparison list

• Blade length: 70.5 cm (27.75")
• Total length of the broadsword: 93 cm (36.6")
• Handle length: 21.5 cm (8.46")
• Length from top edge to tip: 10.2 cm (4")
• Weight of the broadsword alone: approximately 860 g (1 lb. 15 oz)

• Sharpened blade with progressive taper:
  
  • Width at the guard : 3 cm (1.1") / Thickness: 7.41 mm
  • Width at 10.2 cm from the tip : 2.33 cm (0.92") / Thickness: 4.68 mm
  • Width at 4 cm from the tip : 2.14 cm (0.84")  / Thickness: 4mm

• Balance point: approximately 11 cm (4.33") from the guard
• Blade cross section profile: triangular wedge shape
• Blade length wide profile:  straight blade, pointed tip with upper edge

Scabbard:

• Composition : Wenge wood (Millettia laurentii)
• Blackened steel ornaments

Heat treatment:

• Hardness: 54-55 HRC
• Through tempered oil quenched mono steel blade
• Curves slightly when pressure is applied to the tip of the blade
• The Spring steel gives this sword great vibrations for Taiji practice
• Hand polished to a soft shine and a sharp edge

Ornements :

• Blackened Elegant iron fittings modeled after a Tang Dynasty set.